Bike theft suspect flees up tree

UPI News Service, 11/19/2012

Authorities in Florida said they arrested a suspected bike thief who spent nearly 11 hours in a tree while deputies waited below.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies said Ray Allen Charron, 37, was uncooperative when deputies questioned him about an alleged bike theft just after 2 p.m. Saturday in Land O' Lakes and he climbed up a nearby 30-foot tree while a deputy was calling for backup, WTVT-TV, Tampa, Fla., reported Monday.

Charron, who allegedly pushed a man off a bicycle and put the bike into the back of his truck, spent nearly 11 hours atop the tree while deputies attempted to coax him down. The suspect eventually surrendered around 1 a.m.

Charron was arrested on charges of robbery, resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer. He has prior arrests for robbery, felony battery, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license, domestic battery, criminal mischief and contempt of court, the report said.